Face painting, cotton candy and sensual trapeze dancers? Sign me up! I attended the 29th annual Big Apple Circus gala at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. As I was greeted by clowns and top-hatted gents, I began to wonder where else in this crazy, mixed-up city I could sip Checker Cab Blonde Ale and munch popcorn while watching children frolic around the big top.

Before the show began, Mayor Michael “Big Top” Bloomberg delivered a witty address, nearly stealing the show from the clowns themselves. A Big Apple Circus organization official announced that the night had brought in $1.7 million. Then the evening’s entertainment began, accompanied by a gourmet boxed dinner, including a chicken roulade, herbed couscous, salmon and an apple-date crumble.

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I hate to be the one to break it to you, ladies, but this life we lead is not entirely one of glitz and glamour. Many women around the world have never heard the names Manolo Blahnik or Miuccia Prada as their daily lives are more affected on a day-to-day basis by Hezbollah or Mao Tse Tsung.

Tuesday, I attended the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Awards, honoring some among us who literally put their lives and limbs on the line in pursuit of truth. The lunch reception was held in the majestic Waldorf=Astoria ballroom; 638 power-suited attendees sipped Sauvignon Blanc, savored salmon and sat enrapt as they honored four fearless women.
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What do Lotus Night Club, Harmonica Sun Beam and the Rivington House have in common? A whole lotta heart. Wednesday evening well-known tranny performer and former Rivington House Resident, Harmonica Sun Beam hosted several hundred New Yorkers at Lotus in the Meat Packing District. The benefit was organized in light of budget cuts on patient care for the 100,000 New Yorkers are infected with HIV/AIDS.

As I walk down Law and Order Way (named for the television show filmed there) to the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, I think to myself exactly how many glasses of wine I will allow myself to imbibe at this event – an important event entitled “A Second Helping of Life” benefiting SHARE – an organization dedicated to self-help for women with Breast and Ovarian Cancer. I’m pretty sure my grandmother is a survivor of both breast and ovarian cancer, but she is very quiet about the ovarian cancer so I’m not 100% sure. I know she did survive breast cancer, however, and I know how serious an issue it is. Which is why, even though the event consisted of the Top Chefs and Top Wine Companies in New York City dedicating their time to tantalize our tastebuds, I knew I needed to keep it as simple and sober as possible – while still having fun.